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- Title
Guidelines for the antiviral therapy of hepatitis C virus carriers with normal serum aminotransferase based on platelet counts.
- Authors
Okanoue, Takeshi; Itoh, Yoshito; Minami, Masahito; Hashimoto, Hiroaki; Yasui, Kohichiro; Yotsuyanagi, Hiroshi; Takehara, Tetsuo; Kumada, Takashi; Tanaka, Eiji; Nishiguchi, Shuhei; Izumi, Namiki; Sata, Michio; Onji, Morikazu; Yamada, Gotaro; Okita, Kiwamu; Kumada, Hiromitsu
- Abstract
Aim: We aimed to identify the candidates for antiviral therapy, among patients who are hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers with normal serum aminotransferase (ALT), focused on the inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Four hundred and sixty-four HCV carriers with normal serum ALT and 129 HCV carriers with persistently normal ALT (PNALT) and platelet (PLT) counts ≥150 000/μL who received liver biopsies were enrolled. HCV carriers with normal serum ALT were divided into four groups according to their ALT levels (≤30 U/L or 31–40 U/L) and PLT counts (≥150 000/μL or <150 000/μL). Results: In 129 HCV carriers with PNALT, the rate of progression of fibrosis stage was 0.05/year and no HCC was detected during the follow up for 10 years. Approximately 20% of patients with ALT ≤40 U/L and PLT counts ≥150 000/μLwere at stage F2–3; however, approximately 50% of patients with ALT ≤ 40 U/L and PLT counts <150 000/μL were at stage F2–4. An algorithm for the management of HCV carriers with normal serum ALT was advocated based on ALT and PLT counts. Conclusion: The combination of ALT and PLT counts is useful for evaluating the fibrosis stage in HCV carriers with normal serum ALT. Most patients with PLT counts <150 000/μL are candidates for antiviral therapy, especially those with ALT levels ≥31 U/L when we focus on the inhibition of the development of HCC.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS C virus; HEPATITIS C; VIRAL hepatitis; BLOOD plasma; SERUM; CLINICAL pathology
- Publication
Hepatology Research, 2008, Vol 38, Issue 1, p27
- ISSN
1386-6346
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1872-034X.2007.00217.x